A Note From My Shepherd

I received this email last week from Steve Floyd, one of my shepherds here at UCC:
Dusty, I have been trying to immerse myself in the Word and deepen my prayer life both by praying through the Psalms. For the first time last week I felt that I really had a moment of drawing closer [...]

Tulsa Workshop

Are any of you going to Tulsa this year? I hope to see you there. Here’s the schedule of classes:
TULSA INTERNATIONAL SOUL WINNING WORKSHOP
March 27-29, 2008
THURSDAY
8:00 Booth Area Prayer Garden Participartory Prayer
9:00
Pav Don McLaughlin UNchristian: How the World Views Us
Pav “A” Francisco Davila Sabes Que Dios Tiene Un Propósito Para Ti
UpEx Marvin Phillips Let’s Restore [...]

Amazing Week

Every year I travel and visit with a few ministers that I respect. I go with a list of questions and spend a couple of hours (or a whole day – thanks to Don McLaughlin last year) learning. I have found this to be a valuable learning experience. This year I spent time in [...]

Amanda’s Blog

If you haven’t already, go read Amanda’s post today. She stands as a representative of what faith in action looks like. Submission and surrender to God is never easy. Sometimes it seems impossible. Amanda’s stories remind me that however difficult it may seem, full surrender to God is truly the blessed way.

Preachers and Politicians 2

Ten ways preachers and politicians are alike:
1. Most of us are not what you’d consider “eye candy”
2. Politicians always seem to have some lower ranked individual to throw under the bus if the going gets tough. Preachers have youth ministers.
3. Both have the gift of fitting five minutes worth of information into an hour long speech.
4. Politicians vow to [...]

2008 Is Lookin’ Good

First my Tigers win the BCS National Championship, then the Cowboys lose their first play-off game! What’s next? Can life get any better?
I feel sort of guilty wishing for more, but…if the Patriots could lose big, that would be swell.
I know I’m being a hater, but I can’t help it. It feels so good!

Preachers and Politicians

Ten ways the world of a preacher is different from that of a politician:
1. As a preacher, I’ve never had a member take me on a weekend ski trip to convince me to vote for newer songs in the worship service.
2. My members don’t hold up banners or stand to applaud during [...]

Strength

This week I’ve rediscovered the value of God’s words to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This has got to be one of the most hope-filled passages in the whole bible.
I love Eugene Peterson’s version. “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes [...]

Geaux Tigers!

Today we (me and my team) are the champs! We won the championship game.
We’re not the best team. That’s got to be USC or Georgia. But being the best team isn’t what makes you the champ. Winning the right games at the right times is what makes you the champs. If being the best team [...]

Heroes of Faith

On Wednesday nights at UCC, we’re sharing encouraging stories about biblical heroes of faith. Chris Barnes, one of our “young professionals” did a great job to kick the series off. He told about why he admired Stephen so much. His presentation has stirred up some thoughts in me about great faithfulness. Now it seems that [...]